TaQuon Marshall, Desmond Branch get rookie mini-camp invites

Jackets fall in Quick Lane Bowl: Georgia Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall and the Yellow Jackets were defeated by Minnesota 34-10 Wednesday in Detroit. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Jackets fall in Quick Lane Bowl: Georgia Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall and the Yellow Jackets were defeated by Minnesota 34-10 Wednesday in Detroit. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Former Georgia Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall will go to the Baltimore Ravens rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis, according to his agent Leo Jackson, while former Yellow Jackets defensive tackle Desmond Branch has accepted an invitation to do likewise at the Falcons rookie mini-camp, according to his tweet on Sunday that confirmed an AJC report.

Both reached agreements Saturday, following the end of the NFL draft. They joined former Tech defensive end Anree Saint-Amour in earning a chance at NFL jobs, as Saint-Amour signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings Saturday. No Tech players were drafted.

For both Marshall and Branch, it’s the first step to earning a spot on NFL offseason rosters. For their rookie mini-camps, teams bring their drafted players as well as players signed as undrafted free agents and can also invite additional players for tryouts. The tryout players can be signed to the roster from their performance at the mini-camps.

Marshall has sought to make the transition to wide receiver from quarterback. He’ll be at a place familiar with that switch. In 2016, the Ravens drafted former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who played in an option offense like Marshall before switching positions to wide receiver to get an opportunity in the NFL. For the past three seasons, he has mostly been on the practice squads for multiple teams.

Branch was a durable, high-motor defensive lineman for Tech for the past three seasons after transferring from a Texas junior college. He started the past two, compiling 36 tackles in 2018. He worked out for the Falcons April 5 at the team's local pro day.